Concentrating mainly but not exclusively on the Loire's vineyards, its vignerons and their wines along with places to eat and stay. Also covers some recently published wine books – not just from Loire. Regional Chair for Loire @Decanter's World Wine Awards since its inception.
Winner of the 2009 Wine Blog Trophy (journalist category) Salon des Vins de Loire. I have a large and expanding library of photos, particularly from the Loire – places, producers, vineyards etc. European.

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Today was the occasion to choose Le Master (Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine) for 2010. The almost unanimous choice was the 2010 from Charpentier-Fleurance in Le Landreau-Bretonnière.

Launched in 1984 the concept of Le Master was established in the 1980s when Donatien Bahuaud was still family owned. The final selection would be made by a panel of tasters including oenologists, journalists etc. with the winning wine sold under the name of Le Master. When Donatien-Bahuaud went bust and was bought by Grand Chai de France this practice ceased. However, when Ackerman bought the Donatien brand in 2009 from Gabriel Meffre, they decided to relaunch Le Master. Once more there is a super-jury that makes the final selection.

I was invited last year to judge but unfortunately was in the UK, so unable to make it. This year as the tasting is a bit earlier it was possible with an early start from Bléré-la-Croix by train to Nantes.

Just as last year the tasting, followed by lunch, was held at La Cigale, a café-brasserie that is a Nantais institution.

We had ten bottles of 2010 Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine to taste. Much of our work had already been done with a pre-selection process whittling down some 68 samples to ten.

My favourite wine turned out to be the overall winner – no 4 in the order. Next was Joseph Petiteau – Vigne et Saveurs and the third – Luneau Courtage, Vignobles Delaunay. I found Charpentier-Fleurance the best balanced with a lemony, mineral nose and good palate weight plus a long fresh finish. It certainly stood out in the line-up.

Monday, 30 May 2011

Yesterday morning a procession of vintage cars passed through the village. I missed most of them but managed to capture a few towards the end. The tailenders clearly failed to follow their GPS systems as they headed up the hill to Francueil rather than turning down to Saint-Georges.

Saturday, 28 May 2011

Went to the annual wine fair, Vitiloire, in the centre of Tours for the first time today and can recommend it highly – very friendly and relaxed and brilliant weather with the same forecast for tomorrow. So if you are in the Tours area tomorrow well worth a visit with some 116 producers from throughout the Loire to choose to taste their wines.

Friday, 27 May 2011

7.1: As part of their statutory duties, the Administrators will consider the conduct of the Directors and any person they consider a shadow or a de facto director in relation to the management of the affairs of the Companies and the causes of failure and will submit a confidential report to the Insolvency Service, a division of the department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

As part of their investigation the Administrators will consider, among other matters, the following:

• statutory compliance issues;

• misfeasance or breach of duty; and

• antecedent transactions (including transactions at an under value and preferences)

Creditors who wish to draw any matters to the attention of the Administrators should write to the Adminitrators at the address given on the front of this report.

••

7.2 SIP13 (E&W)

In accordance with the guidance given in SIP13 (E&W), the administrators are aware of a number of transactions with Ex Cellar Limited, a company controlled by of the Directors of the Companies, during the two years prior to the appointment. The review of these transactions remains ongoing.

Picture use

Unless otherwise stated all photos on this site are copyrighted – Jim Budd. They should not be used without authorisation and due credit.
Please contact me on budmac@btinternet.com for all use. There will usually be a charge for use in commercial publications – papers, magazines, websites etc. and for other commercial uses.
Photos that are used for commercial use without permission will be charged double – the fee for the use of photo and for breach of copyright.
Commercial organisations asking to use photos for no payment may not always receive a polite response.